In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome!

Friday, February 03, 2017

St. Augustine Beach City Manager's Incompetence, I: Unchanged FPL 30 year franchise proposal not vetted by City Attorney

On the agenda for the Monday, February 6, 2017 St. Augustine Beach City Commission meeting -- one that begins at noon and may not end till 10 pm -- is a "presentation" after 6 PM by Florida Power and Light on a proposed 30 year franchise agreement. Since the last such presentation, maladroit City Manager MAX ROYLE has accumulated no documents and evidences no research on alternatives, including solar, wind and a municipal electric utility. ROYLE demands passage of the monopolistic franchise, ex nihilo, hesto presto.

2. Put the presentation ahead of all other business, including general public comment.

3. Did not vet the draft franchise agreement with City Attorney James Patrick Wilson.

Is MAX ROYLE too big for his britches?

Will MAX ROYLE resign before he's fired?

The City Attorney will hire outside counsel to assist Commissioners in electric power issues.

Great move!

What do you reckon?

MALADROIT CITY MANAGER MAX ROYLE removing political signs at City Hall at St. Augustine Beach: ROYLE falls asleep in meetings, and jokes about it in his column. Is ROYLE merely incompetent, or is this lickspittle for FPL, developers, vendors and special interests corrupt?

The CEO of FPL's parent company receives $33 million in total annual compensation.

FPL has a horrible record of harassing whistleblowers, gouging consumers and buying utility regulators with post-employment sinecures.

1. City of St. Augustine City Manager Max Royle has done NO research evidenced by any documents: he has deprived you as Mayor, Vice Mayor and Commissioners of accurate, analytical information on alternatives, including a municipal electric system, solar and wind farms. Please see City of St. Augustine Beach response to my Open Records Request No. 2017-38, below.

2. Please table and remove the FPL 30 year exclusive franchise proposal from the agenda for the February 6, 2017 meeting.

3. Please do not vote for this 30 year exclusive franchise with monopolistic FPL, an unconscionable "contract of adhesion."

4. Please obtain full public participation and expert advice, as was promised in 2015.

5. Please don't make any citizens who were wanting to speak in monthly general public comment wait around for yet another one-sided, long-winded FPL "presentation" on the franchise agreement, which does not expire until 2018. If FPL wants to speak on its pitiful one-sided proposal, I will question its spokesman (as presumably will other citizens appalled by this item being placed on the agenda).

6. Let there be no time limits on questions and no effort to chill free speech about this dangerous monopoly seeking a 30 year franchise renewal.

7. By the way, why have there apparently been no City of St. Augustine Beach franchise tax audits of FPL, ever? The current franchise agreement allows for an annual audit by the City. I have raised this issue for several years, without a single proferred policy reason in response.

8. Is this refusal to audit FPL franchise tax payments a breach of fiduciary duty?

9 Is it also possibly a failure to provide "honest services," in violation of federal law?

10. Please ask counsel, citizens and experts to help you achieve a just decision, not a rubber-stamp of FPL.

After a reasonable review, the City has found no records responsive to your request; however, the franchise agreement and backup information regarding the FP&L franchise agreement is on our website for the upcoming meeting on February 6th.

Sincerely,

Beverly Raddatz, MMC

City Clerk

City of St. Augustine Beach

2200 A1A South

St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080

(904) 471-2122 FAX (904) 471-4108

Confidentiality Notice: This Email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited, and that you have received this E-Mail and any accompanying files in error. You should notify the City of St. Augustine Beach immediately by replying to this message and deleting them from your system. City of St. Augustine Beach does not accept responsibility for changes to E-Mails that occur after they have been sent.

Please send me all FPL franchise agreement drafts and legal research on alternative municipal electric system economics, including contacts with the American Public Power Association, Florida League of Cities or other organizations.

After a reasonable review, the City has found no records responsive to your request.

Sincerely,

Beverly Raddatz, MMC

City Clerk

City of St. Augustine Beach

2200 A1A South

St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080

(904) 471-2122 FAX (904) 471-4108

Confidentiality Notice: This Email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited, and that you have received this E-Mail and any accompanying files in error. You should notify the City of St. Augustine Beach immediately by replying to this message and deleting them from your system. City of St. Augustine Beach does not accept responsibility for changes to E-Mails that occur after they have been sent.